The Toronto Blue Jays claimed the third baseman off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Monday.

The Jays are now at the 40-man roster limit, although a spot will need to be opened when Morel's contract becomes official.

Morel, 26, was a third-round pick in the 2008 for the White Sox and had his first taste in the majors in 2010.

Morel battled the injury bug in 2012, suffering from back issues which derailed his future with the White Sox, who stocked up with offseason signings.

In 194 career games with the White Sox, Morel batted .229 with 13 homeruns and 54 RBIs.

PEREZ JOINS DODGERS

The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a one-year deal with free agent right-handed reliever Chris Perez on Monday, according to multiple reports.

Financial terms of the deal were not available. He made $7.3 million this year.

Perez, 28, went 5-3 with a 4.33 ERA and 25 saves this year for the Cleveland Indians. In the past four seasons as the Indians closer, Perez collected 123 saves.

The Indians released him after the season following a second half in which he had a 5.60 ERA. He and his wife were arrested for marijuana possession in June and put on probation in September after pleading no contest.

The deals were agreed upon last week. Pelfrey signed a two-year, $11 million deal. Suzuki signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract.

Pelfrey was 5-13 with a 5.19 ERA in 29 starts this year. He joins Ricky Nolasco, Kevin Correia and Phil Hughes in the rotation. The Twins will fill the fifth spot in spring training.

Suzuki will back up prospect Josmil Pinto as All-Star Joe Mauer will move over to first base. Ryan Doumit was previously traded to the Atlanta Braves.

Suzuki had a batting line of .232/.290/.337 with five home runs and 32 RBIs in 285 at-bats over 94 games combined with the Washington Nationals and Oakland A's this year.

Minnesota outrighted outfielder Darin Mastroianni to Class AAA Rochester to make room on the 40-man roster.

REDS TAB HAMILTON AT LEADOFF

Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said the team will go with speedy prospect Billy Hamilton as the starting center fielder and leadoff hitter for next season.

The Reds lost Shin-Soo Choo to the Texas Rangers in free agency last week and their trade proposal to the New York Yankees for Brett Gardner was turned down.

That left Hamilton the next viable option for the Reds.

"He's the guy," Jocketty told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We feel confident he can be a good leadoff hitter. He'll give us great defense. The only question is how often he can get on base. He'll start working on his bunting again after the first of the year. If he can master that, it will really help him."

Hamilton, 23, stole 13 bases in 14 attempts after a September callup. He set a minor league record with 155 steals in 2012 and added 75 this year.

However, offence has been an issue for Hamilton. He had a batting line of .256/.308/.343 with 38 walks and 102 strikeouts in 547 plate appearances at the Class AAA level this year.